Illicit tobacco
Trung LUU (Western Metropolitan) (18:53): (1241) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation regarding the ongoing violence and the surge in arson attacks linked with the illicit tobacco trade. My constituents in the west are among the victims of these attacks. Despite the continued violence and a rise in arson attacks associated with the illicit tobacco trade, Victoria remains the only state in Australia without such a scheme. The action I seek is for the Allan Labor government to implement a tobacco licensing scheme in Victoria. For over 18 months Victoria has experienced a troubling rise in tobacco-related crime. More than 100 firebombings have occurred at tobacco shops, raising serious safety concerns for both shop owners and the community. As noted by the chair of the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee, we need to act. We must act fast. Yet instead of taking timely action, the government has delayed necessary regulations, allowing organised crime syndicates to thrive. The committee also highlighted that there are currently 463 shops selling illicit tobacco, include 25 in Laverton alone. This alarming statistic illustrates both the scale of the problem and the ineffective response from the Allan Labor government. While smoking rates have declined from 22.1 per cent in 2001 to 9.2 per cent today, illicit cigarette consumption remains high, as shown in wastewater testing.
A police taskforce alone cannot eliminate the illegal tobacco trade and organised crime syndicate connection. The Victorian police force already lacks the resources to send police officers to serve their local areas. To effectively combat the illegal tobacco trade a combined approach is necessary. A police taskforce in collaboration with a strong tobacco licensing framework is essential for restoring order and protecting the community. This measure is crucial not only to curb the illegal tobacco trade but also to safeguard public safety and address the serious crime wave associated with this issue.
With 28 years experience in policing, I can tell you now that a taskforce alone will not solve the problem, so when will the Allan government put the community first and commit to introducing legislation for a tobacco licensing scheme? Immediate and decisive action is required now to prevent further violence and protect the citizens of Victoria.
The PRESIDENT: Mr Luu, I might give you a chance to change the action you are seeking.
Trung LUU: The action I seek is to implement a tobacco licensing scheme in Victoria.
The PRESIDENT: Beautiful, that will do. You were calling for legislation – I was concerned about that.